Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Richard Cory" is a poem written in 1897 by Edwin Arlington Robinson that tells the story of a wealthy man named Richard Cory who is admired by those around him for his grace, sophistication, and wealth. Despite his wealth, however, Richard Cory ultimately takes his own life, leaving those around him stunned and questioning the nature of happiness and success.

The poem is structured in four stanzas of equal length and follows a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme. The first stanza introduces Richard Cory, describing him as "imperially slim" and noting his graceful mannerisms and attire. The second stanza details the admiration that those around him have for him, including the townspeople and his employees, who "wished that they were in his place." The third stanza reveals the narrator's own feelings of envy towards Richard Cory, suggesting that even those who seem to have it all are not immune to the emotional struggles that come with life. Finally, the fourth stanza delivers the unexpected and shocking news that Richard Cory has taken his own life, leaving those around him to ponder what could have driven such a seemingly successful and admired man to such a tragic end.

Overall, "Richard Cory" explores themes of the complex relationship between wealth and happiness, the potential for hidden struggles beneath a veneer of success, and the dangers of idolizing and idealizing those around us without truly understanding their inner lives.